Page 32 of Rage of the Fallen

“The wards,” Lisa explained. “They keep out demons, remember?”

Damon whistled. “Talk about your rapid evictions. Guess Dracula’s gonna have to find another castle.”

A pang pierced my chest, watching Justice’s helpless tumble, but I pushed the feeling aside. This was proof the castle’s defenses were working, and we were on the right track.

“All right,” Brody announced as he finally closed the door. “We’re in. Now, let’s find that harp and end this.”

As he sealed us inside the castle, I hoped I hadn’t led my team into the arms of danger again.

Damon must have sensed my unease. He clapped a hand on my shoulder, his touch grounding me. “Hey, chin up, Buffy. Your bloodsucking boyfriend got his ass handed to him by a magic doorway. If that’s not a win, I don’t know what is.”

His smirk faded as he met my gaze, his voice lowering. “Look, we’ve faced worse odds and come out swinging. Hell, we’ve nearly died and come back for an encore. Whatever this place throws at us, we can handle it. Besides,” he added with a wink. “I’ve always wanted to raid a castle. It’s like Dungeons and Dragons but with better-looking players.”

I stepped further into the room, and the grandeur of the salon took my breath away. The space was vast, its high ceilings adorned with intricate plasterwork that seemed to dance in the dim light. Ornate chandeliers hung above us, their crystals catching what little light filtered through the tall windows, sending prismatic reflections across the walls.

Brody looked around the salon, scanning the opulent surroundings. “Where do you think the harp is?”

I followed his gaze, taking in the room’s details. An impressive array of weaponry lined the walls. Gleaming swords, antique firearms, and polished armor spoke of centuries of clan history. Between these martial displays hung massive oil paintings depicting stern-faced ancestors and dramatic Highland landscapes.

At the far end of the room, a grand fireplace dominated the wall, its mantelpiece intricately carved with the heraldic symbols of the Campbell clan. Plush sofas and richly upholstered chairs were arranged throughout the space, their deep reds and golds a perfect counterpoint to the pale, elaborately decorated walls.

Ornate tables dotted the room, their surfaces home to various historical artifacts and curios. I glanced from one to another, searching for anything resembling our target.

“This place is like a museum,” Damon muttered, his hand hovering near a particularly wicked-looking broadsword. “Talk about your family heirlooms.”

“We should split up,” I suggested, trying to shake off the feeling of being overwhelmed. “Cover more ground. But stay within earshot. We don’t know what other surprises this castle might have for us.”

As the team dispersed, I once again felt we were being watched. Whether by the stern gazes of the portraits or something more sinister, I couldn’t tell. But one thing was certain. We needed to find that harp, fast.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

We each took a section of the room. I found myself near a wall lined with ancient weapons, their blades gleaming dully in the dim light. I scanned the displays, finding only swords, shields, and other implements of war.

Damon’s low whistle echoed from across the room. “Check out this family tree,” he murmured, gesturing to an enormous tapestry. “These Campbells go way back.”

Lisa was examining a glass case filled with delicate porcelain figurines. “No sign of the harp here,” she reported, her brow furrowed in concentration.

As the minutes ticked by, a sense of unease grew in the pit of my stomach. The harp wasn’t here, at least not in plain sight. Had we made a mistake? Was our information wrong?

I was drawn to the massive fireplace that dominated one end of the room. Its mantelpiece was a work of art in itself, covered in intricate carvings. As I ran my fingers along the cool stone, I sensed we were missing something important.

“Any luck?” Brody’s voice startled me from my thoughts.

I shook my head. “Nothing yet. But Brody, look at these carvings. Don’t they seem odd to you?”

“It’s not here.” Lisa sighed, running her hand along yet another ornate table.

Damon kicked at the plush carpet. “Great. So we’ve broken into a castle for nothing?”

I was about to suggest we move to another room when Brody called, “Wait. Look at this.”

The others gathered around the massive fireplace as Brody ran his fingers along the intricate mantelpiece carvings. He leaned in, his eyes narrowing as he examined the symbols.

“These symbols aren’t just clan heraldry,” he muttered. “Some of them are ancient protection runes.”

Lisa leaned in, her eyes widening. “He’s right. These are powerful concealment sigils. Whatever they’re hiding, it’s not family heirlooms.”

“So, what?” Damon asked. “We need to solve some Da Vinci Code puzzle to open a secret passage?”

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